Broadway Boy led for much of the race before he fell at the 25th fence
The family who trained a horse involved in a fall during yesterday’s Grand National race have given an update on his condition. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Broadway Boy raced prominently for a long way in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon before coming down at the 25th fence.
He received immediate care on the track for some time after the race had finished, with the 5pm contest delayed by over 10 minutes as treatment continued. Broadway Boy was reported by Jockey Club Racecourses, who operate Aintree, to have walked into the horse ambulance before being taken to the racecourse stables for further assessment.
Grand National jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, the son of Broadway Boy’s trainer Nigel, gave an update on the horse’s condition this morning, Sunday, April 6. Writing on X, he said the horse was “stiff and sore but all being well travelling home this morning”.
Willy Twiston-Davies, another of Nigel’s sons, added: “Thank you for all the lovely messages, and more importantly thanks to all the vets at Aintree. Broadway Boy is getting loaded onto the horse ambulance and coming home. Such a special horse to all of us at Grangehill farm.”
Jockey Tom Bellamy, who rode Broadway Boy, was also sent to a nearby hospital following the fall. Broadway Boy had led for much of the race and was looking poised for victory until his error at the 25th. Celebre d’Allen was sent off a 125-1 shot under Micheal Nolan, with the rider pulling up the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained runner after jumping the final fence.
The 13-year-old then collapsed on the racecourse, but following treatment, he was able to walk into the ambulance to be taken back to the stables for veterinary care.
The British Horseracing Authority said last night: “Both horses received immediate and extensive treatment by the vets, also calling on the first class facilities and various teams on site. This treatment and assessment will continue into the evening.”
The stewards banned Nolan for 10 days (April 19 to 26 and May 3 and 5) after inquiring into his decision to continue to ride Celebre d’Allen after jumping the penultimate fence. A stewards’ report read: “An inquiry was held to consider whether Micheal Nolan, the rider of Celebre d’Allen, had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence.
“The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.”
The race was eventually won by Nick Rockett for trainer Willie Mullins, as he watched son Patrick Mullins claimed victory, which left his father in tears afterwards.
Over £2 million has been invested into the racecourse and equine safety measures in the last decade alone. The Grand National is a unique challenge for horse and rider, but one which has evolved with time to reduce avoidable risk as much as possible, while retaining the character of the race.